Exploring the World of Marionette Liqueurs In this episode of 'Over Proof,' Andrea and I had the pleasure of interviewing Hugh Leech, the head distiller and co-founder of Marionette Liqueurs, a multi award-winning Australian liqueur company. We delved into Hugh's journey from hospitality to distilling, the ethos behind Marionette, and their innovative use of Australian-grown produce. We also touched on the challenges and triumphs of starting and growing a unique business in the spirits industry. Special thanks to our sponsor, I Love Ponsonby, and our hosts at Pastel Bar. Tune in for an insightful and inspiring chat! 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:13 Interview with Hugh Leech Begins 01:45 Hugh's Background in Hospitality 04:11 Founding of Marionette Liqueurs 08:51 Challenges and Adventures in Sourcing Ingredients 13:42 Establishing Marionette's Own Distillery 17:27 Marionette's Core Range and Special Releases 20:59 Business Insights and Reflections 21:59 Crafting the Perfect Cocktail: Our Journey 22:45 Lessons Learned and Regrets 23:38 Navigating the Australian Market 24:33 Building and Learning from Distilleries 25:42 Future Plans for Marionette 29:04 Exploring Native Botanicals 30:41 Collaborations and Special Projects 32:37 Challenges and Resilience 35:09 Inspiration and Community